Orthodontics in Fairfax, VA
Straighter Smiles from a Team That Does It All
Braces & Invisalign in one office
Treatment for
all agesEmergency
ortho careTreatment starting at $2,450
Why Fairfax Chooses Us for Orthodontics
From traditional braces to Invisalign, we match care to your needs. Dr. Kirksey is a Diplomate of the American Orthodontic Society, and Dr. Milan Simanek mentors colleagues in orthodontics. Most cases are handled here, with no referrals.
Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but a loose bracket or broken wire can set your progress back. Our Fairfax practice takes calls 24/7 to coordinate prompt care and help keep your treatment on schedule, so small problems stay small.
Whether you are seeking orthodontic care for your child or feel self-conscious about your own smile, we create custom treatment plans for children and adults alike, each one built around the goals and comfort of the individual patient.
The Cost of Treatment Ranges from $2,450 to $7,450
The cost of both traditional braces and Invisalign ranges from $2,450 to $7,450 at our Fairfax dental office. The complexity of your case is a major factor in the cost of your treatment, but there are others to consider. Fairfax Family Dental Care works with most insurance providers, and we also accept CareCredit® financing, which can make these beneficial treatments a fit for virtually any budget. We invite you to explore cost factors, the value of these treatments compared to alternatives, and more on our dedicated cost pages:
braces review
What Orthodontics Can Address
Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that diagnoses and treats dental and bite irregularities. Treatment may include braces, clear aligners like Invisalign®, or headgear. Orthodontic treatment addresses issues such as:
Orthodontics can straighten twisted or rotated teeth into proper alignment. Crooked teeth can make it difficult to properly brush and floss, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Overcrowding can cause teeth to become crooked, jut out, or overlap. Extractions are sometimes necessary so that orthodontic treatment can straighten the remaining teeth.
Orthodontics can help treat issues such as underbite, overbite, crossbite, and open bite. These issues are not just cosmetic; they can also lead to oral health problems.
For some patients, gapped teeth are purely a cosmetic concern. However, spaces between teeth can cause speech issues and cause other teeth to become crowded or misaligned.
Grinding teeth can be a result of a misaligned bite. Teeth grinding can cause damage to your teeth and lead to painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder symptoms.
The Basics of Traditional Braces Treatment
Brackets, Wires & Rubber Bands
Traditional metal braces use wires, brackets, and rubber bands to guide your teeth into alignment. A metal bracket is attached to each tooth, and an archwire is placed through the brackets. Rubber bands are wrapped around the brackets to hold the archwire in place. This system gradually moves your teeth into their new position.
Inter-Arch Elastics
Inter-arch elastics are used for jaw alignment issues, such as to fix an underbite or overbite. Inter-arch elastics attach to small hooks on your brackets. Like braces, they use tension to gradually realign your bite. As treatment progresses, your dentist may make adjustments to the elastics depending on your dental needs.
Retainers
When treatment is completed, we'll provide you with a retainer that will help keep your teeth in their straightened position. How often you will need to wear it will vary. Some patients will need to wear a retainer full-time for six months, then transition to nightly wear. This retainer is an important step that maintains the results of your orthodontic treatment.
Not Interested in Wearing Braces?
We Also Offer Invisalign
Our dentists offer Invisalign to adults and teens interested in a discreet, comfortable, and convenient solution. These removable trays work much like the wires and brackets, gently guiding your teeth into proper alignment. However, not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign, and significant alignment issues may exclude you from Invisalign treatment. Meet with a dentist in Fairfax, VA, to see if you are a candidate for this orthodontic alternative for mild to moderate orthodontic issues.
What to Expect with Braces A Treatment Timeline
Braces can bring your teeth into healthy, attractive alignment within 12 to 18 months.
Orthodontics for All Ages
Early Intervention Offers Many Benefits
Our focus on family-friendly dentistry extends to our orthodontic care. We are happy to provide braces to children, teens, and adults if it is the right solution for their dental needs.
In general, the earlier in life you can get your child started with orthodontics, the better. By providing pediatric dentistry and addressing alignment issues early in a child's dental development, we can move the teeth more easily and prevent the development of more significant issues in the future.
Our dentists and team members are excellent with children and take great joy in equipping little ones for a lifetime of superior dental health.
Am I Too Old for Orthodontics?
In a word: No! There is no upper age limit for treatment. More importantly, the results of orthodontic treatment can benefit you at every stage of your life, whether you're looking forward to high school or your next class reunion. Here are just a few reasons why many adults choose to undergo orthodontic treatment:
You Deserve Comfort
Adults have enough to worry about without the annoyance and outright pain of teeth grinding, jaw tension, and other symptoms of TMJ disorder caused by a misaligned bite. If you experience TMJ symptoms, come talk to our Fairfax practice. Orthodontics could be part of your journey to a life free of these complications, allowing you to concentrate on all of life's other headaches!
Your Health Is Invaluable
We only become more aware of our health and its importance as we age. Having outstanding oral health is one of the best ways to lower your risk of heart disease and other serious health issues. If dental crowding is making you more susceptible to gum disease, orthodontics can help you safeguard your health in ways that can save you money and help you live a longer, happier life.
You Deserve Confidence
Aging is a gift. Make the most of it by loving what you see in the mirror every day. It's truly remarkable what properly aligned teeth can do for your entire appearance, and orthodontics can play a crucial role in optimizing your smile. And with options like Invisalign, it's never been easier to achieve a symmetrical smile that complements all of your best features.
Does Orthodontic Treatment Hurt?
Traditional braces can be mildly uncomfortable as you adjust to wearing them. There can also be discomfort in the first few days following adjustments. The same can also be true for orthodontic alternatives such as Invisalign. As your mouth adjusts to the aligner trays, there may be some mild soreness, but your dentist will ensure the trays do not rub against your gums. With any orthodontic treatment, your doctor will work with you to minimize any discomfort, and you can take over-the-counter pain medications while your mouth adjusts. Patients with traditional metal braces often also use orthodontic wax to help with areas of irritation.
If you experience significant pain that does not respond to comfort measures, it is important that you call our Fairfax dentistry practice right away so that we can address your issues promptly. We have an emergency dentist available 24/7 to help you as soon as possible.
Care and Maintenance of Metal Braces
Maintaining your oral health during orthodontic treatment may seem a bit daunting. Rest assured that we will provide you with the education you need to keep your teeth healthy throughout the entire course of treatment and beyond. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Brush and Floss
Daily
Your dentist will show you how to brush and floss around your brackets and wires to ensure optimal oral health. Small orthodontic brushes can help you get between the wires; this ensures all food debris is properly removed. Continue to brush using a soft-bristle brush, cleaning all surfaces of your teeth, wires, and brackets.
Continue With Normal Dental Exams
Regular dental exams and cleanings are crucial for maintaining your oral health. It is important that you continue with your regular dental visits, as this can help you catch tooth decay or gum disease before it progresses to a more serious concern, such as a root canal infection.
Avoid or Minimize Damaging Foods
Sticky or hard foods like gum, caramel, hard candies, and raw vegetables can damage or dislodge the brackets or wire. It is best to avoid some of these foods that are not needed for a balanced diet, such as chewing gum. However, if you have a damaged wire or bracket, our emergency dental services are on call 24/7 to help.
Answers to FAQs About Orthodontic Care
Fairfax Family Dental Care believes that patient education is essential to the success of every treatment we provide. If you have questions about orthodontics or any other service, we look forward to providing the answers you need during a consultation. For now, we have provided a few more answers to the questions patients ask most often about orthodontics. Take a look, get acquainted with the basics of orthodontics, and then be sure to get in touch to request your consultation.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
This will vary based on your orthodontic needs. The average treatment time is 18 to 24 months. More complex issues will require more time, whereas minor issues can generally be resolved in a shorter timeframe. During your initial consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and bite and can give you a more accurate treatment timeline. Once treatment is complete, you are encouraged to continue wearing your retainer to maintain your results.
I'm missing a tooth. Can I still get braces?
Yes! Missing teeth can actually be the cause of some shifting teeth. You can prevent this shifting by seeking treatment as soon as possible after tooth loss. Our comprehensive treatment options include restorative dentistry such as dental implants, crowns, and more. We have a full range of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry treatment options to give you the smile you have always dreamed of.
Are certain foods off-limits during orthodontic treatment?
It depends on what kind of treatment you undergo. If you are wearing braces, it's important to avoid eating anything that could damage your hardware. Basically, if it's very hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy, avoid it. Popcorn, nuts, crusty bread, hard candy, and chips are best left out of your diet. If you are using Invisalign, you can eat anything you like. Just remove your tray, enjoy your food, brush and floss, and then put the tray back over your teeth.
Are these treatments covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans will contribute to the cost of both Invisalign and braces. Take that as a testament to the many valuable benefits they can provide beyond just making you look great! Orthodontics make it easier to brush and floss your teeth, reducing your risk of gum disease and many other serious health conditions that can be very expensive to address. Braces and Invisalign are both brilliant investments in your oral health and overall health that both you and your insurance company will appreciate!
